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Webster 1913 Edition

Nonsuit

Non′suitˊ

,
Noun.
(Law)
A neglect or failure by the plaintiff to follow up his suit; a stopping of the suit; a renunciation or withdrawal of the cause by the plaintiff, either because he is satisfied that he can not support it, or upon the judge’s expressing his opinion. A compulsory nonsuit is a nonsuit ordered by the court on the ground that the plaintiff on his own showing has not made out his case.

Non′suitˊ

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Nonsuited
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Nonsuiting
.]
(Law)
To determine, adjudge, or record (a plaintiff) as having dropped his suit, upon his withdrawal or failure to follow it up.
“When two are joined in a writ, and one is nonsuited.”
Z. Swift.

Non′suitˊ

,
Adj.
Nonsuited.
D. A. Tyng.

Webster 1828 Edition

Nonsuit

NON'SUIT

,
Noun.
In law, the default, neglect or non-appearance of the plaintiff in a suit, when called in court, by which the plaintiff signifies his intention to drop the suit. Hence a nonsuit amounts to a stoppage of the suit. A nonsuit differs from a retraxit; a nonsuit is the default or neglect of the plaintiff, and after this he may bring another suit for the same cause; but a retraxit is an open positive renunciation of the suit, by which he forever loses his action. [See the Verb.]

NON'SUIT

,
Verb.
T.
To determine or record that the plaintiff drops his suit, on default of appearance when called in court. When a plaintiff being called in court, declines to answer, or when he neglects to deliver his declaration, he is supposed to drop his suit; he is therefore nonsuited, that is, his non-appearance is entered on the record, and this entry amounts to a judgment of the court that the plaintiff has dropped the suit.
When two are joined in a writ, and one is nonsuited--

NON'SUIT

,
Adj.
Nonsuited.
The plaintiff must become nonsuit.

Definition 2024

nonsuit

nonsuit

See also: non-suit

English

Alternative forms

Noun

nonsuit ‎(plural nonsuits)

  1. (law) A lawsuit that is dismissed as having been brought without cause, prior to an adjudication on the merits.
  2. (law) A neglect or failure by the plaintiff to follow up his suit; a renunciation or withdrawal of the cause by the plaintiff.

Verb

nonsuit ‎(third-person singular simple present nonsuits, present participle nonsuiting, simple past and past participle nonsuited)

  1. (law, transitive) To dismiss (a plaintiff) on the grounds of his or her lawsuit having been brought without cause, prior to an adjudication on the merits.

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